FOXSports.com NBA power rankings

FOXSPORTS.COM

FS Arizona

The well-rounded
Grizzlies make a solid case as the league's best, while old standbys such as the
Heat,
Spurs and
Thunder continue their roles as tried-and-true contenders.

1 Grizzlies 10-2 +1

Hey, don’t act surprised. Familiarity, good health and teamwork can actually get you places in this league. So can a commitment to defense.
Rudy Gay says the Grizzlies have a shot at the Finals. Maybe it’s time to believe him.

2 Heat 10-3 +2

LeBron James looks even better. The Heat look even crisper. And
Ray Allen is precisely what they needed off the bench. Questions, anyone?

3 Spurs 12-3 +2

You can just start assuming these guys will be in the top five for all eternity. When eternity ends,
Tim Duncan might retire.

4 Thunder 11-4 +2

Nobody will probably believe they’re a contender without
James Harden until they get back to the Finals. But they are. And just wait until they get to add all those first-round draft picks.

Brook Lopez is the East’s starting center (or whatever the NBA wants to call it) if the All-Star Game were held today. The rest of the Nets are giving their new city (well, borough) a reason to feel proud, too.

Rajon Rondo is right up there with
Steve Nash and John Stockton as an assist man, and
Kevin Garnett and
Paul Pierce are as effective as ever at their advanced basketball age. C’s could soar once everyone else figures it out.

The constantly changing status of
Andrew Bynum’s scrambled eggs for knees could make the
Sixers just decide to mail it in. But emerging guard
Jrue Holiday showing they’re still a team worth noting.
13 Warriors 8-6

Young, confident and ready to be the new kids on the postseason block. Coach Mark Jackson has these guys willing themselves to wins, and the sleeper potential isn't just some fantasy.

It’s amazing how good they look on some nights and how bad they look on others. Either way, the talent and depth is there. Eventually, something cool might result.
16 Mavericks 7-7 -1

O.J. Mayo is having a career year, but not even that's enough to save the Mavs without
Dirk Nowitzki. The key is to keep playing around .500 until Dirk returns.

17 Bobcats 7-6 +3

Don’t put too much stock in The Embarrassment in Oklahoma City. The Bobcats are deeper, smarter and possess some rising stars in Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and maybe even
Byron Mullens. There’s gonna be some long nights, but some swell ones, too.

The post-trade vigor that fueled James Harden appears to have dissolved a little, although he’s still plenty good and certainly clutch enough. Rockets miss Kevin McHale, though, and are still waiting for the other guys to come around.

Sort of went in the tank when
Kevin Love returned, but that won’t last. Love is too good and the Timberwolves are still plenty dangerous. All they really need is to figure out what to do with Derrick Williams while he’s still an asset.
22 Trail Blazers 6-8 -5

If rankings were based on promise and athleticism, the Blazers would be in the top 10. Watch out if they ever get it together on a consistent basis.

First order of business: Figure out what the heck
Eric Gordon really wants, then give it to him. If it’s a trade, so be it. Second order: Keep your fingers crossed that Anthony Davis can stay healthy and doesn’t get jaded with all the losing.